Crowd management and event security specialist Showsec has been praised for the customer-focused approach which has contributed to the success of Bloodstock, one of the UK’s largest dedicated heavy metal festivals which is staged each summer in the Derbyshire countryside.

Founded and organised by the Gregory family, Bloodstock Open Air attracts almost 15,000 heavy metal fans to the grounds of Catton Hall where this year’s line-up featured headline acts Twisted Sister, Mastodon and Slayer over the three days of the event.

The festival is enjoyed as much by Showsec’s team as it is by the audience, such is the atmosphere which has been generated by the biggest independent event of its kind.

“Bloodstock is like a big family gathering each year, and Showsec has certainly added to that great sense of togetherness,” said Adam Gregory, one of the festival’s directors. “Front-of-House contact can define your event because it transmits the feel and the atmosphere. Showsec works well with what we’re trying to achieve in terms of the customer experience, and that helps to enhance a real family vibe right across the whole event. We can engage with Showsec at all management levels. We’re listened to and they deliver.”

Bloodstock is now well established on the heavy metal scene, and Showsec has been instrumental in developing its special atmosphere for the past seven years. Fellow Bloodstock director Rachael Greenfield added: “The relationship has grown much stronger in the time that we’ve engaged Showsec’s services for the festival. They understand our family brilliantly, and the familiar faces which we see within the team makes a big difference in terms of building trust with all parties. The fans feel like they’re coming to see their friends once a year, and I know that many would include members of the Showsec staff among them.”

That was clearly evident from the numerous messages posted on social media after Bloodstock had once again lived up to expectations. “Just nothing but praise for the Bloodstock security,” wrote Stewart Lucas on the festival’s Facebook page. “There are no power trips or egos. They just do their jobs with utter professionalism and total respect for us paying punters.”

Many of the Showsec staff on duty at Catton Park have worked there on a number of occasions, some of them regularly travelling across from Wales. “We all look forward to Bloodstock each year,” said Joe Milner, Showsec’s area manager for the East Midlands. “It isn’t just a festival. It’s a community of people who enjoy listening to their favourite music and the other attractions of this event. We’ve all worked together for some time now, and the strength of that relationship is reflected in the festival experience we deliver for the thousands of metal fans who are so loyal to the event and look forward to their time at Catton Park each year.”